I am a licensed Georgia Broker striving to be a real estate agent of change for client and community. This blog is for all shades of green spectrum folk concerned with energy and environmental issues where they matter most: in our homes and communities.

As one of Georgia's first certified EcoBrokers®, my passion is helping buyers and sellers of greener, healthier, more sustainable properties in the metro Atlanta area. As a member of a national network of EcoBrokers® I can, in many cases, refer you to a green real estate agent regardless of where you live or wish to relocate.

I stay current on eco-trends and technologies pertinent to the homeowner and journal information that I hope will educate, empower and entertain my current and future clients.

I have to say that Burke made the entire process of buying a home seem like a walk in the park (he didn't mention that I have one of those practically in my backyard!). I am very excited about my new home and if you're looking on the BeltLine or beyond for Eco-friendly options I highly recommend Burke.

~ Amber

We found Burke Sisco through his website, Ecohomeguy.com when we were searching for a real estate agent with an eco-conscience. True to the name, Burke proved to be extremely committed to and knowledgeable about green technologies and practices as he patiently helped guide us towards finding and obtaining our "greenovation" project. We still check his site regularly to see what is new and green in Atlanta.

~ Caroline

Burke, Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I would never again look for a home to greenovate or otherwise without you. I have leaned on you in more ways than a normal relator would take (this is my fifth home). I needed someone who could look at a home and see it's green potential from offer to a ten day close. I needed someone who could give me advice and contacts in making my dream happen. You did all this and more. You became a trusted friend. Thank you again.

Love,

Robin C. Poole

If you need a green real estate agent that you trust to sell your house for you Burke Sisco is the one for you. Not only does he promote green new construction, he is willing to find you a used house and promotes greenovations. He has the knowledge and the skill sets to bring you the best resources to get the job done correctly.

~ Matt Hoots

Links

EcoHome Guy has put together a list of useful energy and environmental links

BELTLINE.net has launched! This new site is all about the BeltLine Lifestyle and delivers hyperlocal content featuring news, personalities, business, real estate, restaurants, photos, jobs, coupons and just about everything else associated with the community the BeltLine is becoming.

The BeltLine is the most significant thing to happen to Atlanta since the Olympics. I will be devoting a good portion of my bandwidth to this new site since I live, work, worship and play within this burgeoning swath of smart growth.

I believe denizens of the BeltLine will be able to enjoy some of the greenest, most sustainable lifestyles in the metro Atlanta area.

Cyclists and pedestrians on the BeltLine adjacent to Lofts at Ralph McGillPedestrian-friendly transit, a multi-use trail, greenspace and connectivity with surrounding developments and neighborhoods -- add up all the elements of the Atlanta BeltLine and what you’ve got is an upgrade to the city. Atlanta 2.0 is the expanding, redeveloping mile-wide swath of smart growth that has the BeltLine as it’s central artery. Are you looking to upgrade your lifestyle by living along the BeltLine? Then join me for a BeltLine Wheel Estate Tour of the Eastside Trail. We will tour properties for sale along this amenity-rich corridor on bicycles provided by Bicycle Tours of Atlanta. And why not? Owners of wheel estate along the Eastside Trail will enjoy access by bicycle (or foot) to some of the best parks, shopping, and dining that Atlanta has to offer like the newly created Historic Fourth Ward Park and Ponce City Market, now under construction.

Trails consistently remain the number one community amenity sought by prospective homeowners (National Association of Homebuilders, 2008) and can increase values for adjacent properties by as much as 20% over otherwise comparable properties.

Tours in May will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 15; Tuesday, May 21; and Wednesday, May 29th (weather permitting).

As a Georgia-licensed real estate broker, I can show you some of the most exciting condo, townhome, and loft living on the market along this first segment of Atlanta’s bicycle superhighway.

I posted a somewhat crude video of one of my first rides on the BeltLine Eastside Trail back when it was about to open [Atlanta Bicycle Superhighway Begins]. Here's better footage of a round trip on the trail, sped up 300%.

After the Trust's inaugural Home Owners Workshop on Saturday, May 4, join us for a tour through some of Atlanta's beautiful historic neighborhoods. I'll be riding with Bicycle Tours of Atlanta to give you a firsthand experience of some of the city's historic walkable and bikeable neighborhoods.

We'll visit a home recently restored as well as some houses currently on the market. The tour will begin in the Old Fourth Ward and travel through Inman Park, Cabbagetown, Reynoldstown, Grant Park, Summerhill and Sweet Auburn. You'll also learn about the burgeoning swath of smart growth known as the Beltline and why I call it Atlanta 2.0.

There is no better way to get to know a neighborhood than by bike! On this 3-hour, 8-mile journey, guests will be provided with bikes, helmets, bottled water and a wealth of information about the current real estate market in historic neighborhoods!

I was at a closing recently and the listing agent asked me how I showed houses to clients. It was a fair question since I don't own a car. Our car-light journey, began a little over a year ago, naturally has ramifications for the way I practice real estate.

I have shown homes on foot -- a natural outcome, I suppose, when you spend as much bandwidth as I do promoting walkability and walkable neighborhoods. Sometimes it's just better to stroll than to roll.

There is no way to experience a neighborhood more intimately than on foot or via a bicycle -- a truth articulated so well in this article.

I have clients who work near MARTA, so living near MARTA becomes an obvious solution for daily commuting. Using MARTA to preview the homes is a no-brainer. The secret ingredient to using MARTA is to combine it with the bicycle for the first and last mile. Bicycles are allowed on MARTA trains and buses. All the buses, including Xpress commuter buses to the 'burbs, are equipped with bike racks on the front.

When a car is needed, I use Zipcar. Car sharing represents a fundamental shift in American transportation and consumption. There are currently more cars than drivers in America (?!). Each Zipcar takes about 20 personally-owned cars off the road. And the savings over owning a car can be substantial. On average, Zipsters save $500 per month over owning a car! A lot of this money get's pumped back into the local economy. We get to drive a hybrid without shelling out huge bucks to buy one. And I can show you homes without messing up your hair.

It's all about fewer cars, less congestion, less carbon, less consumption and less pollution. These are important values to me as I actively promote city living because I live here.

My latest solution is the most fun -- a Vespa scooter with a sidecar. Our Stella with her rocket sidecar was chosen to bridge the gap between walking, bicycling, mass transit, and Zipcar for our family's needs and as a green method of delivering the Soup Mama's jars of love. Stella get's over 100 mpg, which becomes increasingly important as gas prices rise. It's got a catalytic converter and has one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly scooter engines on the market.

There are over 80 acres of land and many buildings and structures within 2 blocks of the coming Atlanta Streetcar route considered underutilized. These properties represent significant opportunities for Transit-Oriented Development.

I office on the east end of the economic development area depicted. Please contact me at 404.421.9968 for real estate brokerage services on these properties.

Here's your opportunity to save money, gas, and energy with this short sale opportunity in Atlanta's first LEED-certified condominium development.

Bank has approved a $156,000 short sale on this stunning 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath loft home and can close in as soon as 30 days. That's rip-roaring fast for a short sale! So I guess we could call this home acquisition-efficient, as well.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Features of the home include one-of-a-kind views that will never be blocked because of historic Oakland Cemetery; custom kitchen with granite counter tops and gorgeous cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and breakfast bar; large living room with floor to ceiling window with fantastic skyline view; master suite complete with spa-bath, huge walk-in closet with laundry; and walk-out to private, covered balcony. The 2nd bedroom loft space is perfect for home office or occasional company. Other features include exposed concrete ceilings, 2 car garage parking, roof-top deck, security, and an active HOA.

The entire development boasts LEED for Homes certification. Eco-friendly features of the homes include:

Operable, low-emittance, double-paned windows

Bamboo flooring in kitchen and living areas

Dual flush toilets and high performance plumbing fixtures

Energy Star appliances

High efficiency heating and cooling

On-site recycling center

Steel and concrete construction

Drought-resistance landscaping

Moped/scooter/bike racks

One of the first things I noticed when I previewed the brand new project back in July, 2008 was the lack of the typical new construction smell. This was due to the use of low volatile organic compound [VOC] paints, adhesives, sealants and carpeting throughout the building. Typically, my eyes -- which are very sensitive to off-gassing of new conventional paint, glue, and carpet -- would have been burning within minutes of walking down the carpeted hallways. Improved indoor air quality is a primary benefit of LEED construction.

Owners could enjoy up to 30% in energy usage and water consumption due to the LEED certified construction and features.

Locationally, the development is a win. Aside from it's premium placement, sandwiched between Grant Park neighborhood and Oakland Cemetery, the lofts rate a good transit score of 55 and a very walkable walk score of 86. King Memorial MARTA station is a half mile walk or bike ride through one of Atlanta's most cherished and unique green spaces.